{"product_id":"yongde-lao-cha-tou-2012","title":"Yongde Lao Cha Tou — Aged Ripe Pu-erh Tea, 2012","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAged “Old Tea Heads” from Yongde, Lincang\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eYongde Lao Cha Tou (老茶头)\u003c\/b\u003e is an aged \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRipe Pu-erh (Shu Pu-erh)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e produced in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e2012\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e from spring-harvested tea material in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eYongde County, Lincang, Yunnan\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e — a region renowned for its long tradition of Pu-erh production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eLao Cha Tou, often translated as \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Old Tea Heads,”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is a distinctive form of Shu Pu-erh consisting of naturally compressed clusters of tea leaves and buds formed during the pile-fermentation process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eDense and slow to open, these clusters can produce remarkably long-lasting tea sessions and a character that differs noticeably from conventional loose or compressed Shu Pu-erh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMore than a decade of maturation has given this 2012 Yongde Lao Cha Tou additional softness, depth, and complexity while preserving the calm, woody-nutty character of the original tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat Is Lao Cha Tou?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eDuring the fermentation of Shu Pu-erh, some leaves naturally bind together under the combined influence of heat, moisture, pressure, and the natural compounds released by the tea leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThese dense clusters are known as \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCha Tou (茶头), or “Tea Heads.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBecause they are more tightly structured than ordinary loose-leaf Shu Pu-erh, they open gradually during brewing and often require noticeably longer infusion times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis also makes good Lao Cha Tou exceptionally durable across repeated infusions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe 2012 Yongde Lao Cha Tou consists of relatively large, moderately dense clusters of leaves and buds that gradually unfold throughout a long tea session.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MOUNTTEA","offers":[{"title":"50 g","offer_id":57811843645820,"sku":null,"price":14.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 g","offer_id":57418853220732,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0964\/6388\/0572\/files\/CD45103C-D13C-4C6B-973E-1C584D0B95CE.png?v=1789436096","url":"https:\/\/www.mounttea.store\/products\/yongde-lao-cha-tou-2012","provider":"MOUNTTEA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}